Woodbury, Minnesota is a vibrant suburb of St. Paul and Minneapolis with plenty to see and do. From historic sites and museums to shopping centers and parks, Woodbury offers attractions for visitors of all ages and interests. This article will highlight 12 top attractions that you don’t want to miss when visiting Woodbury.
Whether you’re interested in exploring the outdoors, learning about local history, experiencing hands-on science exhibits with the kids, or finding great deals while shopping ’til you drop, Woodbury has something for you. The city boasts a charming historic downtown area with unique shops and restaurants alongside modern retail centers and entertainment options.
Nature lovers will enjoy miles of walking trails and outdoor recreation opportunities at places like Powers Lake Park and Carver Lake Park Reserve. Families will have a blast at the Science Museum of Minnesota satellite location or watching a movie in recliners at the Woodbury 10 Theatre. And history buffs will be fascinated by 19th century homes and buildings preserved to demonstrate what life was like for early settlers and farmers in the area.
1.Powers Lake County Park
Powers Lake County Park offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities just minutes from downtown Woodbury. The park features fishing piers, pedal boats and kayak rentals on Powers Lake, and a swim beach during the summer months. Visitors enjoy birdwatching and spotting turtles, butterflies, deer and even foxes in the park’s diverse habitats.
Six miles of multi-use paved trails are suitable for walking, running and bicycling for all ages and abilities. In the winter, you’ll find plenty of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails that wind through prairie, woodlands and wetlands. Two large playground structures delight kids of all ages alongside a basketball court, sand volleyball pits and horseshoe pits.
Powers Lake County Park hosts fun special events year-round as well including Eagle Watch weekend when bald eagles gather by the lake, Brews and Blues Fest in September, and Snowshoe Sampler Day in the winter when people can test out a variety of snowshoes for free. With so much natural beauty and ways to connect with nature, Powers Lake County Park is a must-visit outdoor attraction in Woodbury.
2.Carver Lake Park Reserve
Another gem of a park awaits in Carver Lake Park Reserve, one of the most pristine parks in the Twin Cities metro. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Woodbury, this 1,700 acre park contains a mix of prairie, maple basswood forest, wetlands, and oak woodlands. Visitors adore fishing for crappie, bluegill, northern pike and bass in Carver Lake or Lake Riley while taking in gorgeous natural scenery.
Sixteen miles of trails allow for hiking and horseback riding spring through fall while snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fat tire biking and ice fishing occur in the wintertime. You can rent skates to glide across the frozen lake or go to the warming house to sip hot chocolate after building a snowman.
Carver Lake Park Reserve also features an 18-hole championship disc golf course, picnic grounds and access to canoeing and kayaking on the lake. With pristine natural habitats and year-round recreation options just minutes away, Woodbury visitors have struck gold at Carver Lake Park Reserve!
3.Afton Alps Ski Area
For downhill winter fun, head just across the St. Croix River to Afton Alps Ski Area! This premier ski destination has catered to Twin Cities families since 1963 with nearly 300 skiable acres, 48 trails and the largest vertical drop in Minnesota. Skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities will find terrain to match their needs spread over four interconnected peaks. The area features several quad chairlifts, surface lifts and two conveyor lifts to get you back up the hill quickly.
When you need a break, stop at one of five warming chalets including the historic gingerbread-style Alps Chalet built in 1938. Enjoy a bite to eat, hot or cold beverages and even a cocktail if you’re so inclined. The Alpine Shop will equip you with any rentals or accessories you may need from skis and boards to helmets and gloves. Don’t forget your camera for stellar views of the Tamarack River Valley from the scenic vistas up top! With night skiing, terrain parks, races, events and more, Afton Alps turns Woodbury visitors into lifelong skiers and riders every season.
4.Woodbury Heritage Society Museum
Step back in time to the late 19th and early 20th centuries in and around Woodbury by visiting the Woodbury Heritage Society Museum complex. Tour an 1863 one-room schoolhouse, 1878 Greek Revival home, 1890 Methodist church, 1902 fire station, 1910 train depot, 1926 farmhouse and the 1960s Dexter Corner Store. Costumed guides bring the spaces to life while modern exhibits showcase artifacts, photos and memorabilia from the city’s history.
Special events include hearth cooking demonstrations, quilting and fiber arts displays, blacksmithing, heritage garden walks and history happy hours for adults. The Heritage Society Museum connects residents and visitors with Woodbury’s rich past through immersive experiences across ten historic buildings. Learning how early settlers, farmers and families lived provides an invaluable and fascinating understanding of the foundations of this vibrant suburb today.
5.Woodbury Community Theater
Treat yourself to a stellar performance at the Woodbury Community Theater! This all-volunteer organization puts on several musicals, dramas, comedies and theater for young audiences each season. Productions occur at the state-of-the-art Overture Center on the corner of Valley Creek and Woodlane Roadsfeaturing professional sets, lighting and sound. Family-friendly shows like Annie JR, Shrek and Madagascar Jr. delight kids while beloved classics like Hello Dolly, South Pacific and Leading Ladies entertain adult audiences.
Talented student actors from middle through high school hone their acting chops in spring children’s shows and summer teen productions. But people of any age can get involved on stage or behind the scenes doing lighting, costumes, makeup and more. Support the local arts by catching a show or even auditioning to perform at the Woodbury Community Theater. With incredible talent and fun themes each season, you’re sure to be entertained and impressed.
6.Woodbury THRIVES Exhibits
An innovative partnership between businesses and arts organizations has led to the creation of 30 public art sculptures around Woodbury. Part of the THRIVES initiative to promote economic vitality paired with enriching area culture, these creative exhibits showcase important aspects of the suburb. Sculptures depict Woodbury’s heritage around healthcare, retail, sports, nature, community and residential life through detailed designs carved out of limestone, bronze, aluminum and steel.
Artwork includes Native American women arranged around an oak tree, a grandfather clock, a Woodbury High School rugby player mid-kick, a replica nation’s largest redwood tree and many more unique displays. Download the free Woodbury THRIVES app to map out your own walking, running or biking public art tour. Don’t miss seeing imagination come to life while supporting local arts and economic growth through the cultural creativity of the THRIVES exhibits!
7.Woodbury Lakes
You may think of the Mall of America when someone mentions shopping in Minnesota. However, Woodbury Lakes offers a luxury retail destination closer to home. The 150 acre property features 50 stores and restaurants in an outdoor pedestrian village environment. Shop high-end brands like Kendra Scott, Kate Spade, Coach and lululemon in airy modern buildings interspersed among lakes, fountains and event spaces. Grab a bite to eat on a patio overlooking the water or let the kids play in the 3 acre central park.
Seasonal live music, yoga classes on the lawn and holiday celebrations immerse visitors into more than just shopping. Local favorites like b. Residential women’s boutiques and men’s store Rooster’s give thecomplex distinctive flair.
The upscale Tamarack Village area presents another eight stores like Morrie’s Luxury Auto campus and the Redstone American Grill. With free parking, shuttles from hotels, and exceptional deals during the semi-annual Fashion Week, Woodbury Lakes offers an excellent alternative to downtown Minneapolis shopping conveniently close to home.
8.Woodbury Village Shopping Center
For incredible discount shopping opportunities, head straight to Woodbury Village Shopping Center. This massive 502,000 square foot complex holds more than 70 outlets and retail stores. Find deep discounts on popular name brands like Nike, Levi’s, Under Armour, Carter’s OshKosh and Coach.
Plus shop furniture warehouses like Gabberts and Designer Furniture Rental for your home alongside Pier 1 Imports and Kirklands for décor. Then refuel with a bite to eat at family dining and fast casual restaurants onsite.
The real savings come at luxury retailers Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th and Nordstrom Rack. Shop previous season high quality fashions, shoes and accessories at steep markdowns. Around the holidays, the deals get even better too making it easy to check everyone off your list. With excellent savings year-round, Woodbury Village Outlets features some of the best bargain hunting in the greater metro area!
9.The Works Museum
Spark wonder and curiosity in your kids or tap back into your own sense of playfulness at The Works Museum just across the river in Bloomington. This dedicated science center provides hands-on educational fun for children and their families to encounter concepts in engineering, technology and design.
The Woodbury satellite location features interactive traveling exhibits like Balancing Art and Science along with story times and special science events. Visitors might explore the magic of bubbles, design video games, or build race cars and robots using real tools alongside museum staff.
Unique from typical science museum exhibits, The Works focuses more on guided instruction working creatively with different scientific principles. Kids learn about physics using blocks and ramps, chemistry through baking cookies and coding with visual programming.
Parents can engage right alongside their children instead of passively watching them play alone. Through facilitated experiential learning, The Works Museum sparks the innate innovation inside all curious minds – right in your own backyard.
10.Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park
Less than 15 minutes from Woodbury, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park contains one of the most unique playgrounds in Minnesota. This 839-acre park features four miles of paved trails, a trout stream, oak savannah prairies and mysterious ravines formed by the melting glaciers thousands of years ago. Visitors adore hiking along King’s Ravine with 50-foot tall exposed rock cliffs covered in ferns and wildflowers.
However, the Adventure Play Area highlights why this park is so popular with families. Designed solely for kids’ imaginations and activity, the playground features slides carved into the hillside, climbing walls, fun bridges, scramble nets and more. Let the kids run free and burn off energy while you picnic nearby.
Special events also occur in the warmer months like kayaking, forest bathing activities and naturalist-led hikes. For stunning natural beauty and literally the wildest playground around, make memories with the whole family at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park!
11.Mathnasium
Make math fun and educational at Mathnasium customized learning center designed just for kids. This after school math-only tutoring facility focuses on making sense of numbers for children in 1st through 12th grade.
Using proprietary teaching materials and techniques, instructors assess each students’ math comprehension abilities. Then kids work through month-long learning programs designed to target their weak areas and strengthen math skills for better confidence and performance.
Sessions take place in a vibrant, supportive environment that feels more recreation than instruction. Kids can earn rewards including trips to the coveted prize wall making math practice feel like a fun game. Parents receive detailed progress reports after each month to showcase their child’s growth.
With passionate instructors focused on fostering a positive relationship with numbers, Mathnasium helps Woodbury students not just memorize but deeply understand essential mathematical concepts.
12.Movie Theaters
Sometimes you just need a bucket of popcorn and a chance to relax. Woodbury delivers tempting movie theater options for an easy date night or family activity. The Woodbury 10 Theatre features not only first-run films but heated recliners in every cinema so you can kick back in comfort. This location also holds sensory-friendly showings with lights up, sound down and freedom to move around for visitors with special needs.
Only 2.5 miles away, Marcus Theatres Woodbury Cinema 18 comprises a more traditional mega theater complex with 18 screens showing nearly all new mainstream, indie and foreign films that debut. Both locations offer great concession stands with pizza, burgers and chicken tenders alongside traditional candy and buttery popcorn. Prices stay reasonable for budget family fun too. When you want an immersive escape without traveling far, cinema paradise awaits right in Woodbury!
Conclusion
With incredible parks, diverse museums, premiers shopping destinations and family fun attractions, Woodbury truly offers wonderful experiences for visitors of any age or background.
From interacting with 19th century life at the Heritage Society Museum to riding through theravines at Cottage Grove Park or catching an independent film at the luxury cinemas, Woodbury provides dynamic ways to play.
Excellent dining and hotel accommodations complement the 12 top attractions highlighted that histories buffs, shopping devotees and outdoor enthusiasts alike will adore. When seeking a vibrant suburb with as much business, education and entertainment as natural splendor, discover memorable treasures across Woodbury, Minnesota!